Removing the Dorsal Fin... - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

SamIyam · 12-28-2009, 12:46 AM

The only thing that really bugs me about the new Camaro is the On-Star Dorsal fin on the top.

The Chevy dealer told me when I ordered my Camaro that I couldn't opt to delete it...

Does that little antenna do anything else for me other than On-Star?

I ordered a 1SS... not going to use On-Star... but I do want XM...

Is there any reason I couldn't take it off, weld up the hole, and then have the roof re-painted?

It's THAT bad...

Sam

SScattergunSS · 12-28-2009, 12:47 AM

It does actually bring in your XM.

FenwickHockey65 · 12-28-2009, 12:47 AM

I think that's your XM antenna too. Not sure.

MightyT · 12-28-2009, 12:50 AM

I think it is required for XM as well ...

Some folks have opted to get theirs painted to thier body color. You might like that since it will blend in a little more.

There is a thread on a way to get this done ... I think it was about $190 with a $50 core refund.

Just a thought ...

SamIyam · 12-28-2009, 12:53 AM

If so... probably not much I could do. I think XM needs a straight shot to the sky. The car I just sold has an antenna on the dash... But when you went under an overpass... it would lose the signal like AM.
My wife's Tahoe has the external antenna... and doesn't lose the signal as bad.

Hmmmmmm... Maybe someone who's an eeeee-lec-tron-ics expert can chime in.

Any GM engineers out there? XM experts?

Sam

SamIyam · 12-28-2009, 12:57 AM

Thanks Mighty T... that's a good idea. I have a friend who own's a paint and body shop... i'm sure he could shoot that little sucker in white.

Or what about camouflage? Then it would disappear! Hahaha!!

Sam

TJ91 · 12-28-2009, 01:07 AM

haha from Shark Fin to Dorsal fin...
Yeah that would affect onstar, XM and the general radio to i think
Honestly, most people dont really notcie it...people actualy pefer it over the conventional attennas lol but everyone is different

tmac1granger33 · 12-28-2009, 01:51 AM

lol this made me laugh because if youve ever seen the first ace ventura "do you have a dorsal fin" lol

tmac1granger33 · 12-28-2009, 02:16 AM

123

caddycruiser · 12-28-2009, 05:31 AM

Has to be there, in some form, because it's the antenna for AM/FM/XM/Onstar all together. Paint it or leave it be, otherwise the only other option would be to figure out a swap of some other kind of GM AM/FM/XM/Onstar antenna...though the Camaro's, especially if painted, is one of the best looking in shape.

Like getting more than the snow channel & no Onstar? Yeah, you need it.

Ravirn · 12-28-2009, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamIyam

If so... probably not much I could do. I think XM needs a straight shot to the sky. The car I just sold has an antenna on the dash... But when you went under an overpass... it would lose the signal like AM.
My wife's Tahoe has the external antenna... and doesn't lose the signal as bad.

Hmmmmmm... Maybe someone who's an eeeee-lec-tron-ics expert can chime in.

Any GM engineers out there? XM experts?

Sam

XM Radio uses two geostationary satellites about 22,000 miles above the United States. Normal communication satellite range. If you're not near a repeater on the ground, you will need a direct line-of-sight to one of the satellites. Placing an antennae on your dash is bad as it narrow's your reception area (your car's roof will interfere/block the signal).

Hence, the reason for "the fin" on the top of the Camaro. Your sky field-of-view is much larger so when you go under a bridge the probability of maintaining signal strength is much higher. One satellite may be blocked, but a side angle to the other satellite is still viable.

The fun is finding out which bridges are bad. Depending on where you live, East-West bridges or North-South bridges will interfere the most. It all depends on your direct line-of-sight to Rhythm and Blues (the two satellites).

This is all moot if your city has a repeater re-broadcasting the signal. You won't notice any interruption in the signal.

Hope that helps!

2010 SSRS · 12-28-2009, 07:22 AM

I like my shark fin.

01pewterz28 · 12-28-2009, 07:37 AM

I ordered mine from Becky @ Rodgers Chevrolet (she is on the board) get with her it's a 3-step paint process to make sure the paint sticks my local dealership tried one one a 2SS in RJT and the paint would not stick. I have had mine on since early November and I love it.

SamIyam · 12-28-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caddycruiser

Like getting more than the snow channel & no Onstar? Yeah, you need it.

Hahahahaha!!

I'll have it painted...

Thanks guys,

Sam

12-28-2009, 12:46 AM	#1
SamIyam Drives: 2010 1SS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Livermore, CA Posts: 139	Removing the Dorsal Fin... The only thing that really bugs me about the new Camaro is the On-Star Dorsal fin on the top. The Chevy dealer told me when I ordered my Camaro that I couldn't opt to delete it... Does that little antenna do anything else for me other than On-Star? I ordered a 1SS... not going to use On-Star... but I do want XM... Is there any reason I couldn't take it off, weld up the hole, and then have the roof re-painted? It's THAT bad... Sam

12-28-2009, 12:47 AM	#2
SScattergunSS ~ Love or Lust ~ Drives: R6P 1SS/RS BLK/L99 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: With My CynAgain Posts: 25,198	It does actually bring in your XM. __________________ ~ Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto, "In God is our trust." And the Star Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave ~ Francis Scott Key ~

12-28-2009, 12:47 AM	#3
FenwickHockey65 General Motors Aficionado Drives: 2023 GMC Canyon, 2020 Colorado Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37,371 View My Garage	I think that's your XM antenna too. Not sure. __________________ 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2020 Chevrolet Colorado W/T Extended Cab (State-issued)

12-28-2009, 12:50 AM	#4
MightyT Drives: 2010 Camaro 2LT RS Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: California Posts: 539	I think it is required for XM as well ... Some folks have opted to get theirs painted to thier body color. You might like that since it will blend in a little more. There is a thread on a way to get this done ... I think it was about $190 with a $50 core refund. Just a thought ... __________________ 2010 Camaro 2LT RS - Rally Yellow Ordered from Tom Bell 1100 Prelim. Order - (09-18-09) 2000 GM Accepted - (09-22-09) Order NPJWCM. 3000 Prod Control Accepted - (10-14-09) *TPW 11/02/09. 3300 Scheduled - (10-26-09)* 3400 Broadcast - (10-31-09) 3800 Produced - (11-06-09) VIN 2G1FC1EV6A9165272 4200 Shipped - (11-09-09) Rail ETTX701486 5000 Deliver dealer - (11-27-09) 6000 Deliver customer - (11-27-09)

12-28-2009, 01:51 AM	#8
tmac1granger33 NM HT5 Drives: COTW 3/5/12 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: los lunas, New Mexico Posts: 1,986 View My Garage	lol this made me laugh because if youve ever seen the first ace ventura "do you have a dorsal fin" lol Last edited by tmac1granger33; 12-28-2009 at 02:16 AM.

12-28-2009, 12:53 AM	#5
SamIyam Drives: 2010 1SS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Livermore, CA Posts: 139	If so... probably not much I could do. I think XM needs a straight shot to the sky. The car I just sold has an antenna on the dash... But when you went under an overpass... it would lose the signal like AM. My wife's Tahoe has the external antenna... and doesn't lose the signal as bad. Hmmmmmm... Maybe someone who's an eeeee-lec-tron-ics expert can chime in. Any GM engineers out there? XM experts? Sam

12-28-2009, 12:57 AM	#6
SamIyam Drives: 2010 1SS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Livermore, CA Posts: 139	Thanks Mighty T... that's a good idea. I have a friend who own's a paint and body shop... i'm sure he could shoot that little sucker in white. Or what about camouflage? Then it would disappear! Hahaha!! Sam

12-28-2009, 01:07 AM	#7
TJ91 :chevy: Drives: 2LT/RS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 13,033	haha from Shark Fin to Dorsal fin... Yeah that would affect onstar, XM and the general radio to i think Honestly, most people dont really notcie it...people actualy pefer it over the conventional attennas lol but everyone is different

12-28-2009, 02:16 AM	#9
tmac1granger33 NM HT5 Drives: COTW 3/5/12 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: los lunas, New Mexico Posts: 1,986 View My Garage	123

12-28-2009, 05:31 AM	#10
caddycruiser Drives: Demo's Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 131	Has to be there, in some form, because it's the antenna for AM/FM/XM/Onstar all together. Paint it or leave it be, otherwise the only other option would be to figure out a swap of some other kind of GM AM/FM/XM/Onstar antenna...though the Camaro's, especially if painted, is one of the best looking in shape. Like getting more than the snow channel & no Onstar? Yeah, you need it.

12-28-2009, 07:22 AM	#12
2010 SSRS Drives: 3 V8 Camaros Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Ocean State Posts: 111,187 View My Garage	I like my shark fin.

12-28-2009, 07:37 AM	#13
01pewterz28 #TeamBeckyD Drives: 2017 HBM 2SS Convertible A8 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Apopka, FL Posts: 10,496 View My Garage	I ordered mine from Becky @ Rodgers Chevrolet (she is on the board) get with her it's a 3-step paint process to make sure the paint sticks my local dealership tried one one a 2SS in RJT and the paint would not stick. I have had mine on since early November and I love it. __________________ #TeamBeckyD FIFTY HBM 2SS VERT

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